The 0-3 New York Jets have nowhere to go but up Jets X-Factor’s NFL Week 4 Power Rankings
At this point, what can anybody say?
Robert Saleh‘s extremely young New York Jets simply aren’t getting the job done. What was once optimistic offseason hype has quickly turned into familiar misery.
Losses to the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and Denver Broncos have put the Jets in a legitimate hole to open the new season. It doesn’t get much easier with the 2-1 Tennessee Titans set to visit MetLife Stadium for a Week 4 matchup.
Perhaps the only piece of positive news is that the Jets have nowhere to go but up in Jets X-Factor’s NFL Week 4 Power Rankings.
1. Los Angeles Rams (3-0)
Last Week: 34-24 W vs. Tampa Bay
Top Performer: QB Matthew Stafford (27-of-38, 343 yards, 4 TD)
This Week: Sunday vs. Arizona (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
Matthew Stafford is taking full advantage of a situation tailor-made for him to succeed, as the Los Angeles Rams formally re-introduced themselves to the Super Bowl conversation with a statement win over the defending champions.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Last Week: 34-24 L @ LA Rams
Top Performer: QB Tom Brady (41-of-55, 432 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Sunday @ New England (8:20 p.m. ET, CBS)
An old enemy drew blood from Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but provided they get through what’s sure to be unbearable hype for this Sunday night’s reunion in New England, there should be plenty of chances to regain their swagger, as each of their next four opponents (New England, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago) are dealing with offensive issues.
3. Buffalo Bills (2-1)
Last Week: 43-21 W vs. Washington
Top Performer: QB Josh Allen (32-of-43, 358 yards, 4 TD)
This Week: Sunday vs. Houston (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Concerns about the Buffalo Bills offense have effectively been erased after putting up 78 points over their last two games.
4. Las Vegas Raiders (3-0)
Last Week: 31-28 W vs. Miami (OT)
Top Performer: RB Peyton Barber (144 total yards, 1 rushing TD)
This Week: Monday @ LA Chargers (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Atop of the AFC standings by virtue of early tiebreakers, the cardiac kings of the desert are also on top of the NFL’s offensive rankings at a jaw-dropping 471 yards per game.
5. Carolina Panthers (3-0)
Last Week: 24-9 W @ Houston
Top Performer: QB Sam Darnold (23-of-34, 304 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns)
This Week: Sunday @ Dallas (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Carolina’s Thursday night victory was a costly one, as both Christian McCaffrey and Jaycee Horn are out for the foreseeable future, though they’ve reportedly found a way to counter the latter issue, as they’re reportedly adding C.J. Henderson from Jacksonville.
6. Arizona Cardinals (3-0)
Last Week: 31-19 W @ Jacksonville
Top Performer: CB Byron Murphy Jr. (4 tackles, 2 INT, 1 TD)
This Week: Sunday @ LA Rams (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
The Arizona Cardinals survived NFL history and divine intervention to earn a come-from-behind win in Duval County, where everything that was old was new again as James Conner (two rushing scores) and A.J. Green (112 receiving yards) each played major roles in the victory.
7. Baltimore Ravens (2-1)
Last Week: 19-17 W @ Detroit
Top Performer: K Justin Tucker (4-of-5 FG, 1-of-1 XP, long 66)
This Week: Sunday @ Denver (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Baltimore needed its own brand of NFL history via Justin Tucker’s launch to steal a win on the road in Detroit and now faces an interesting stretch where they face three winning teams (Denver, Cincinnati, LA Chargers) and a Monday nighter (Indianapolis).
8. Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Last Week: 41-21 W vs. Philadelphia
Top Performer: QB Dak Prescott (21-of-26, 238 yards, 3 TD)
This Week: Sunday vs. Carolina (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
If the Dallas Cowboys, rolling after big wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, can’t win this iteration of the NFC East by at least three games, relegation to the XFL has to be considered, no?
9. Los Angeles Chargers (2-1)
Last Week: 30-24 W @ Kansas City
Top Performer: WR Mike Williams (7 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TD)
This Week: Monday vs Las Vegas (8:15 p.m., ESPN)
Even in a surprisingly competitive AFC West, Los Angeles is making a name for itself after being pegged by many to be a dark horse this offseason and living up to that hype by escaping Arrowhead with an improbable victory.
10. Green Bay Packers (2-1)
Last Week: 30-28 W @ San Francisco
Top Performer: WR Davante Adams (12 receptions, 132 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Sunday vs. Pittsburgh (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
The Green Bay Packers’ no-show against New Orleans in Jacksonville—as well as Aaron Rodgers’ offseason drama—feels like an eternity ago after more prime time magic from the Jeopardy! fill-in host.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)
Last Week: 30-24 L vs. LA Chargers
Top Performer: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (17 carries, 100 yards, 1 receiving TD)
This Week: Sunday @ Philadelphia (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Counting the Kansas City Chiefs out before September ends is foolhardy, but good teams have taken advantage of the fact that Tampa Bay left a championship blueprint to beat them. They’ve already lost some valuable ground in the West, where they’re the only losing team.
12. Cleveland Browns (2-1)
Last Week: 26-6 W vs Chicago
Top Performer: LB Myles Garrett (7 tackles, 4.5 sacks)
This Week: Sunday @ Minnesota (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Not too long ago, a rookie quarterback making his first start against the Cleveland Browns would’ve been the jackpot, but the gridiron revolution near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River continues with a shutdown of Justin Fields that netted a single net yard.
13. San Francisco 49ers (2-1)
Last Week: 30-28 L vs. Green Bay
Top Performer: TE George Kittle (7 receptions, 92 yards)
This Week: Sunday vs. Seattle (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
There’s still a lot to get excited about in San Francisco—who committed the sin of leaving Rodgers too much time in the clock—but calls are rising for Trey Lance to take over for the efficient (if not boring) Jimmy Garoppolo as the Niners’ pre-bye slate features crucial divisional matchups against the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals.
14. Tennessee Titans (2-1)
Last Week: 25-16 W vs. Indianapolis
Top Performer: RB Derrick Henry (144 total yards of offense)
This Week: Sunday @ JETS (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
With the AFC South already headed toward the direction of Nashville, the Tennessee Titans will look to find ways to keep the pressure off Ryan Tannehill, who is one of four quarterbacks (Sunday opponent Zach Wilson also among them) to have been sacked at least 10 times already this season.
15. Denver Broncos (3-0)
Last Week: 26-0 W vs JETS
Top Performer: LB Alexander Johnson (5 tackles, 2 sacks)
This Week: Sunday vs. Baltimore (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
For all the concerns about Denver earning their early perfection against winless, woebegone competition, a team desperate for any sort of traction has found a stable quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater and continues to enjoy defensive antics that rank second in the league (221 yards per game).
16. New Orleans Saints (2-1)
Last Week: 28-13 W @ New England
Top Performer: CB Malcolm Jenkins (7 tackles, 2 PD, 1 INT, 1 TD)
This Week: Sunday vs. NY Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
The New Orleans Saints got back on the right track with a one-sided win over the New England Patriots and will reopen the Superdome against the hapless Giants this weekend.
17. Minnesota Vikings (1-2)
Last Week: 30-17 W vs. Seattle
Top Performer: QB Kirk Cousins (30-of-38, 323 yards, 3 TD)
This Week: Sunday vs. Cleveland (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Autumn brings cooler temperatures and Mike Zimmer’s seat is no exception as the Vikings put up 453 yards, 112 of which was earned on the ground by rusher Alexander Mattison, a new career-high.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)
Last Week: 24-10 W @ Pittsburgh
Top Performer: WR Ja’Marr Chase (4 receptions, 65 yards, 2 TD)
This Week: Thursday vs. Jacksonville (8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network)
Time will tell if the Cincinnati Bengals’ hot start is legitimate (though the Ja’Marr Chase-Joe Burrow connection is very inspiring either way), but if they want to ensure the illusion lingers for at least another 10 days, Thursday’s prime time visit from the Jaguars could be a must-win.
19. Seattle Seahawks (1-2)
Last Week: 30-17 L @ Minnesota
Top Performer: QB Russell Wilson (23-of-32, 298 yards, 1 TD)
This Week: Sunday @ San Francisco (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
The Legion of Boom having long disbanded, Seattle, trapped in a division with the undefeated Rams and Cardinals, is losing ground quickly thanks to garish defensive efforts.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2)
Last Week: L 24-10 vs. Cincinnatti
Top Performer: RB Najee Harris (142 total yards)
This Week: Sunday @ Green Bay (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive woes would be playing a broken record at this point, but enough hasn’t been written about how wary the defense looked without T.J. Watt, who sat of Sunday’s shocking home defeat with a groin issue.
21. Miami Dolphins (1-2)
Last Week: 31-28 L @ Las Vegas (OT)
Top Performer: LB Elandon Roberts (5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD)
This Week: Sunday vs. Indianapolis (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
After throwing away a very winnable game in Sin City, Sunday’s visit from imperfect Indianapolis carries the aura of a premature must-win.
22. New England Patriots (1-2)
Last Week: L 28-13 vs. New Orleans
Top Performer: LB Matt Judon (3 tackles, 2.5 sacks)
This Week: Sunday vs. Tampa Bay (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
New England is reeling as the return of the GOAT looms large. They’ll be missing running back James White, while Mac Jones is coming off his first turnover-laden game against the Saints.
23. Washington Football Team
Last Week: 43-21 L @ Buffalo
Top Performer: RB Antonio Gibson (104 total yards, 1 receiving TD)
This Week: Sunday @ Atlanta (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
After their uncanny prime-time victory over the Giants, Washington was dealt a brutal blow in a measuring stick game, the affair kept respectable only by Antonio Gibson’s long-aerial score after new Bud Light spokesman Taylor Heinicke went flat with two interceptions.
24. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)
Last Week: 41-21 @ Dallas
Top Performer: QB Jalen Hurts (25-of-39, 361 total yards, 2 passing TD)
This Week: Sunday vs. Kansas City (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
It’s not clear which number frustrated Philadelphia Eagles fans most: the 20-point loss to the Cowboys (which, frankly, was pretty compared to what the rest of the game looked like), the 13 penalties, or the two carries bestowed to Miles Sanders.
25. Houston Texans (1-2)
Last Week: 24-9 vs. Carolina
Top Performer: WR Brandin Cooks (9 receptions, 112 yards)
This Week: Sunday @ Buffalo (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
The Houston Texans put up a respectable effort under the watch of third-stringer Davis Mills, but all eyes are on another Houston quarterback, as the team has reported “started to soften” on a deal involving embattled franchise-thrower Deshaun Watson.
26. Chicago Bears (1-2)
Last Week: 26-6 L @ Cleveland
Top Performer: WR Brandin Cooks (9 receptions, 112 yards)
This Week: Sunday @ Buffalo (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
After a literally abysmal offensive performance in Cleveland, the Chicago Bears have made it clear that Justin Fields, Andy Dalton, and Nick Foles are candidates to start Sunday. In other words, that’s more potential starters than they had net passing yards against the Browns (one).
27. Detroit Lions (0-3)
Last Week: 19-17 L vs. Baltimore
Top Performer: RB D’Andre Swift (107 total yards, 1 rushing TD)
This Week: Sunday @ Chicago (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
You can call the winless Detroit Lions, re-established as the victims of the longest kick in NFL history, many things, but “boring” certainly hasn’t been one of them.
28. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Last Week: 17-14 W @ NY Giants
Top Performer: RB Cordarrelle Patterson (102 total yards)
This Week: Sunday vs. Washington (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
As comical as the Atlanta Falcons’ season has been so far, there’s a realistic chance they could own a winning record when they enter their early bye in two weeks, as matchups with the Washington Football Team and the Jets (in London) lie ahead.
29. Indianapolis Colts (0-3)
Last Week: 25-16 L vs. Tennessee
Top Performer: CB Kenny Moore II (7 tackles, 2 PD, 1 INT, 1 TFL)
This Week: Sunday @ Miami (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Things went from bad to worse for the reeling Colts, whose upset bid was derailed upon watching star blocker Quenton Nelson leave the field via medical cart.
30. New York Giants (0-3)
Last Week: 17-14 L vs. Atlanta
Top Performer: QB Daniel Jones (24-of-35, 305 total yards)
This Week: Sunday @ New Orleans (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Nothing personifies the downfall of New York football better than the fact that its bright silver lining comes through the Giants requiring all 60 minutes of the game clock to lose their past two contests. Although, at least Daniel Jones hasn’t held an active role in creating the negative margins.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
Last Week: 31-19 L vs Arizona
Top Performer: RB James Robinson (134 total yards, 1 rushing TD)
This Week: Thursday @ Cincinnati (8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network)
Another week, another early Jacksonville lead erased through another Trevor Lawrence interception showcase, though at least the Clemson product has the relative luxury of doing in Duval’s relative obscurity.
32. New York Jets (0-3)
Last Week: L 26-0 @ Denver
Top Performer: DL Quinnen Williams (4 tackles, 1.5 sacks)
This Week: Sunday vs. Tennessee (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Forget about an actual victory; the Jets need to focus on merely visiting the end zone, having failed to do in eight consecutive periods. Therefore, such failures doom them to “victory” in the crowded battle for the 32nd spot.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags